Geranium plant named ‘Pacvica’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct zonal geranium plant with distinctive brilliant red-orange colored flowers above medium green foliage with strong zonation.

Botanical classification: Pelargonium×hortorum (zonal geranium).

Varietal denomination: ‘Pacvica’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of geraniumknown by the varietal name ‘Pacvica’. The new variety was discovered asa seedling in a selective breeding program in Dresden, Germany. The newvariety is the result of a combination breeding of unnamed, unpatentedselections from breeding group 8K-34. Plants of the new variety exhibitthe flower color and zonation of their parents, but differ in theirhabit and branching. The new variety was first asexually reproduced bycuttings in Dresden, Germany in 1999. The new variety has been trial andfield tested and has been found to retain its distinctivecharacteristics and remain true to type through successive propagations.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photographic drawings illustrate the new variety, withthe color being as nearly true as is possible with color illustrationsof this type.

FIG. 1 is a photograph of the plant; and

FIG. 2 is a photograph of a bud, flower, and leaf.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following detailed description sets forth the characteristics of thenew cultivar. The data which defines these characteristics werecollected from plants propagated in January, potted in February, andgrown in a greenhouse and then outdoors in June for data collection inDresden, Germany. Plants were 9 months old when described. The colorreadings were taken on a plant under natural indoor light. Colorreferences are primarily to the R.H.S. Colour Chart of The RoyalHorticultural Society of London.

PLANT

Form: Upright.

Height: About 17 cm from media surface to top of foliage; about 21 cmfrom media surface to top of umbels.

Strength: Does not require artificial support.

Growth: Erect, compact, well-branched, continuous flowering.

Roots: White; adventive; 3.5 weeks to develop.

Leaves:

Arrangement.—Opposite.

Size.—Length: 4.3-6.0 cm. Width: 7-10 cm.

Shape.—Overall: Reinform. Base: Nearly closed. Apex: Rounded.

Margin.—Bicrenate.

Texture.—Pubescent.

Color.—Upper surface: 137B. Lower surface: 138B. Zonation: 137A.

Ribs and veins.—Venation: Net-like. Color: 143C.

Petioles:

Color.—144B.

Length.—7-9 cm.

Stem:

Color.—145A.

Overall stem length.—About 14 cm.

Internode length.—1-1.3 cm.

Lateral branch length.—7-8 cm.

THE BUD

Shape when closed:

Overall.—Spherical.

Individual bud.—Elliptical.

Size when closed:

Overall.—About 4 cm across cluster.

Individual bud.—1.3 cm long, 0.9 cm wide.

Color.—40A.

INFLORESCENCE

Size of umbel:

Width.—About 9-10 cm.

Length.—About 9-10 cm.

Depth.—9-10 cm.

Borne: Umbel; Flower on pedicel, pedicel on peduncle.

Flowers:

Form.—Zygomorph.

Number of flowers per umbel.—20-22.

Size.—Diameter: About 4.8-5.2 cm. Depth: About 1.8 cm.

Petals:

Color.—Upper surface: 40A. Lower surface: 43B. Shape: Overall: Round tooval. Base: Pointed. Apex: Rounded. Size: 2.6-2.8 cm long; 2.3-2.6 cmwide. Margin: Entire. Number per flower: About 8. Texture: Smooth.

Sepals:

Color.—Upper surface: 144B. Lower surface: 144B.

Shape.—Overall: Narrow, pointed. Apex: Pointed. Base: Wider than apex,pointed.

Size.—Length: About 1.0-1.1 cm. Width: About 0.3 cm.

Petaloids:

Quantity.—0-3.

Shape.—Irregular.

Color.—40A upper surface, 43B lower surface.

Pedicel:

Length.—1.8-2.2 cm.

Color.—Ranges between 175B and 143A.

Peduncle:

Length.—About 17 cm.

Color.—143A.

Lastingness of umbel.—About 3-4 weeks.

Natural flowering season: Blooms continuously throughout summer; plantslast until frost.

Disease/pest resistance: No susceptibility to diseases or pests has beennoted to date.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

Stamens:

Anthers.—0.1-0.2 cm. in length.

Filaments.—Length: 0.7-0.8 cm. Color: 27D. Pollen: 25A, abundant.

Pistils:

Number.—One.

Length.—About 0.9 cm.

Stigma.—41B.

Style.—Length: 0.2 cm. Color: 53C.

Ovaries.—Superior, pubescent, about 0.2 cm long, 140B.

Seeds: Rarely present; if present, 5 per flower, 0.4 cm long, colored165A.

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

1. Brilliant red-orange color.

2. Strong foliage zonation.

3. Semi-double flower.

4. Heat tolerant.

5. Tetraploid.

6. High yield of cuttings.

7. Rich flowering.

8. Long-lasting.

9. Well-branched, compact growth.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of geranium plant substantiallyas shown and described.